Happiness is.....

Welcome Cade Scott Bonneville!!!

It has been a whirlwind of the past six weeks or so.  I am hearing from many people that they have been checking my blog - to no avail!

For those who remember, this blog will be in the spirit of that famous song, and Charlie Brown book....Happiness is.....

HAPPINESS IS.....GRANDCHILDREN!!

Since my last blog, we have been to Saskatoon, Medicine Hat, back to Saskatoon, Medicine Hat, Alameda, Medicine Hat......are you starting to see a pattern? I have a new guy in my life.  Fear not, Callum is still my main squeeze!  Cade Scott Bonneville was born July 7, 2009. He was 7 lbs, 7 oz. We had fun with the numbers game - born on 7/7, weighed 7/7. And if you take 9 -2 (in 2009) you come up with 7! What a lucky boy! 

He has been the brightest spark in our life since his arrival. He spends some time each day talking to Grandad, well, OK - cooing.  He loves to hear his Grandad's voice and intently gazes at him when he speaks. They have spoken of the ways of the world, what he should aspire to be as he grows up, and other important life lessons.  Luckily, he is still eager to hear the wisdom of Grandad.

Stuart and Vanessa are doing well. They have definitely risen to the occasion in the parenting world. Cade couldn't have more loving and caring - and very smart! - parents. It is a joy to see such a loving couple share their love with a wee being.  They could be a new definition of family and we are very proud of them.

Cade

5 weeks old

HAPPINESS IS.....STABLE HEALTH!

Callum has continued to feel very well. He has continued with the 5 - FU chemo and leucovorin. He generally has fewer side effects and has a quicker recovery. He had a CT scan mid-July and it shows no change from the April CT scan. We are absolutely thrilled! This means that it has now been 1 year since a CT scan showed any disease progression.  Could this be the miracle?Unfortunately, our elation was short lived, to an extent.  Blood tests in early August showed some fluctuations in his liver enzymes. Dr. A is a bit concerned that it is a result of some cancer spread that hasn't yet shown up on the CT. So Callum had oxaliplatin chemo added to his last treatment, just in case the fluctuations are due to cancer.  To put this into context though, the enzyme levels that Dr A is concerned about are still lower than they were in early spring! We are optimistic that the fluctuations are due to chemo or something else, and not cancer. And even if it is cancer, we feel extremely confident that the oxaliplatin will once again take care of it. A follow up blood test post chemo treatment showed some decrease in some levels, and minor increase in the others. Nothing major. We are not worried....nor should you.

HAPPINESS IS......MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

Dr A has also ordered an ultrasound to see how the blood clot is doing. Callum has had absolutely no issues with it, but it hasn't been checked since the end of January, so I guess it is time. The ultrasound is on August 19, so we should know early Sept what is happening with the clot.

HAPPINESS IS.....IRELAND!!

I think I have mentioned that I started a community group - Saskatoon Supporting LIVESTRONG, as part of the global action on cancer started by the Lance Armstrong Foundation. On behalf of our group, I submitted a commitment to bring the Giant Colon Tour, an education exhibit of the Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada, to Saskatoon.  I am priveleged to be one of the 225 or so committments (out of 300) to be invited to attend the Lance Armstrong Global Summit on Cancer in Dublin, from Aug 24 - 26! So, Callum and I are off to Ireland on Aug 21 and will return to Saskatoon on Aug 28. Unfortunately we have no extra time to hop over to Scotland.....but Callum will be by himself while I am at the conference, so if anyone in Scotland wants to pop over, just drop us an email or give us a call! I am very excited to be part of the positive action that will make cancer history.  

HAPPINESS IS......GREAT FRIENDS

Saskatoon Supporting LIVESTRONG is a new group making giant leaps! Along with the Giant Colon Tour, we will have a Wear Yellow Day, to help offset the costs of the Giant Colon and hopefully to have some funds to donate to worthy cancer causes in Saskatoon and area. None of this would not be possible if not for some great friends we have found in Saskatoon. You know who you are - THANK YOU!!!

HAPPINESS IS.....WONDERFUL FAMILY

We spent a few days in early August helping my mom prepare for an auction sale. She and my step-dad, Earl, have decided to move into a seniors apartment in Alameda. We are happy to see them move into town and closer to other people. It was a busy few days, but so nice to be with my sisters and brother, sister in law and brothers in law for that time. We got to have short visits with some Aunts and Uncles, and cousins.  The sale went well and both Mom and Earl were quite pleased at the end. 

"People become really quite remarkable when they start thinking that they can do things. When they believe in themselves they have the first secret of success."   

  Norman Vincent Peale

TTFN

Lorna